Flying-machine.



J. PROKSA.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1911.

1,007,486. Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

Jfiesi/ ftz/efi/ifi' m k 176M flozw/ M 1 Man JOHN PROKSA, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS.

FLYING-MACHIN E.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN PROKSA, a cit-izen of the United States ofAmerica, and a i resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook, State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined driving and steering propeller forflying machines, and has for its object to provide a simple andeflicient structural arrangement and combination of parts adapted toafford an easy, certain and effective adjustment of the propellercarrying shaft to any desired angular relation to the longitudinallyextending motor shaft of the machine, all as will hereinafter more fullyappear.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1, is a fragmentary plan view of amechanism embodying the present invention. Fig. 2, is a side elevationof the same with parts in section. Fig. 3, is an enlarged detailtransverse section on line 00, Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the stationary supporting frameof the present mechanism, preferably formed as a rearward extension ofthe frame or housing of the engine used in propelling the flyingmachine.

3 is the rear portion of the engine shaft, and t the rear bearing forthe same, said frame being preferably formed as a part of the enginehousing, as usual.

5 is a vertically arranged transverse yoke at the rear end of theframe 1. Said yoke l is adapted to receive and provide horizontalpivotal support for the hereinafter described universally adjustablecarrier of the propelj ler shaft and its propeller. I

6 is the outer gimbal member of the present construction. Said member isof an ap proximately ring shape, arranged vertically and formed withhorizontal end hubs 7 and 8 for the reception of pivot gudgeons or boltsI 9 and 10, by which said member is pivotally I attached to theaforesaid yoke 5 of the supporting frame 1. In addition the gimbalmember 6 is formed with vertical screw- I threaded orifices for thereception of the pivot gudgeons or screw bolts by which pivotalconnection is made between said outer gimbal member 6 and the innergimbal member or carrier hereinafter described.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed March 9, 1911.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911. Serial No. 613,413.

11 is a worm sector secured to the gimbal member 6 in concentricrelation to the pivotal axis of the same, and 12 is a worm shaft journaled in bearings formed therefor in the above described yoke 5 andhaving operative I engagement with the worm sector 11 afore said. Saidworm shaft is provided with an extension stem or rod 13 extending withinconvenient reach of the operator for efiecting angular adjustment of thepropeller in a vertical plane.

14 is the inner gimbal member above referred to, and which is pivotallysupported in the opening of the outer gimbal member 6 by verticallyarranged pivot gudgeons or screw-bolts 15 and 16 above referred to. Theinner gimbal member is of a tubular box form to provide a bearing forthe propeller shaft hereinafter described and carries a horizontallyarranged worm sector 17 at one side, adapted for operative engagementwith a worm shaft 18 journaled in bearing boxes carried by the outergimbal member 6 as shown.

19 is an operating rod or stem extending from a point adjacent to theoperator and connected by an extensible universal joint 20, of anyordinary and usual construction, with the aforesaid worm shaft 18, toenable the operator to impart angular adjustment in a vertical plane tothe propeller.

21 is the propeller shaft above referred to and which is journaled inthe tubular box portion of the inner gimbal member 14 above described.At its rear end said shaft 21 carries the propeller 22, and at itsforward end is connected to the rear end of the engine shaft 3, by anextensible universal joint 23 of any ordinary and usual construction.

Having thus fully described my said invention what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a driving and steering mechanism for flying machines, thecombination of an engine shaft, a propeller shaft, an extensibleuniversal joint, forming an operative connection between the two shafts,an inner gimbal member carrying the propeller shaft, an outer gimbalmember carrying said inner gimbal member, vertical pivot gudgeonsconmeeting the gimbal members together, a supporting frame formed with ayoke, horizontal pivot gudgeons connecting said yoke and the outergimbal member together, individual means for imparting angular adjustment to the outer gimbal member in one plane, and individual means forimparting angular adjustment to the inner gimbal member in anotherplane, substantially as set forth.

2. In a driving and steering mechanism for flying machines, thecombination of an engine shaft, a propeller shaft, an extensibleuniversal joint, forming an operative con nection between the tWoshafts, an inner gimbal member carrying the propeller shaft, an outergimbal member carrying said inner gimbal member, vertical pivot gudgeonsconnecting the gimbal members together, a supporting frame formed with ayoke,horizontal pivot gudgcons connecting said yoke and the outer gimbalmember together, individual means for imparting angular adjustment tothe outer gimbal member, comprising a Worm of March 1911.

JOHN PROKSA. \Vitnesses:

ROBERT BURNS, HENRY U'ron.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

